Granite building stone market in Norway

Earlier Report Observations

The Norwegian granite building stone market was valued at $78.0 million in 2018, a year when the sector was characterized by the dominance of three quarrying companies, with Lundhs AS holding a 75% market share and actively branding its granite varieties. Market size grew to $81.7 million in 2019, driven by increased imports and a sharp decline in exports, which offset a drop in domestic production. However, in 2020, the market contracted significantly to $60.8 million, reflecting broader economic disruptions.

By 2022, the market recovered strongly to $94.7 million. In the following years, the industry faced a global downturn in granite demand, with Norway's exports continuing their downward trend through 2024. The regulatory landscape evolved in 2025 with the proposed Minerals Act aiming to modernize extraction frameworks, emphasize sustainability and Indigenous rights, and integrate EU critical raw materials standards, while new construction site emission rules and updated building codes began reshaping the operating environment for granite extraction and usage.

Production granite building stone in Norway

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Norway's granite building stone production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 69 665 thousand US dollars, marking a significant decrease of 13.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, production fell by 21.5%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 7.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Norway in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Norway's granite building stone production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 1 653 thousand tons were produced, representing a strong growth of 12.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, production rose by 46%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 13.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Norway in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports granite building stone from Norway

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 152 thousand tons and peaked in 2021 at 1 671 thousand tons, representing an 11-fold increase between these years. In 2021, exports grew by 35.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 80.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2020 at 710.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Norway in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Denmark and the Netherlands were the key partner countries for exports in volume terms, together accounting for 84.9% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Norway in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior showed volatility during these years. Export values varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2019 at 3 277 thousand US dollars and the highest in 2021 at 18 391 thousand US dollars, a 5.6-fold difference. In 2021, exports surged by 58.6% compared to 2020. The largest decline was in 2019 at 76.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2020 at 253.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Norway in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the Philippines were the primary buyers of granite building stone from Norway in value terms. Denmark accounted for 46.3% of exports, the Netherlands for 23.6%, and the Philippines for 8.4%, together representing 78.4% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Norway in value, 2018-2021

Imports granite building stone to Norway

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Import volumes varied widely, with the maximum recorded in 2019 at 21 thousand tons and the minimum in 2021 at 4 thousand tons, a 5.9-fold difference. In 2021, imports dropped sharply by 74.5% year-on-year. The largest increase was in 2019 at 39.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Norway in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Throughout 2018 to 2021, China, Sweden, and India were the largest markets for imports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 88.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Norway in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of granite building stone to Norway declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 1 865 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 30.9% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports fell by 42.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 801 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 43.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 48.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Norway in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, China, Sweden, and India remained the leading destinations in the import structure by value. China accounted for 39.6% of imports, Sweden for 26.9%, and India for 17.2%, together making up 83.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Norway in value, 2018-2021